Foxygen LIVE @ The Ruby Lounge, Manchester 30.11.14

Rating:

To say that psych-rockers Foxygen simply walk on stage would be underplaying their zing, the song-writing pair and their outfit burst out in a flurry of colour, long hair and bare skin. Three attractive female backup singers & dancers fill the right of the stage with sex appeal; all swaying in their short, glittery dresses.

Opening with ‘How Can You Really’, leading single of their 2014 release, the frenetic energy levels of the performance are quick to be established as Sam France twirls and clambers around the stage, managing to be as flamboyant a showman as possible. Previously unaware of France’s madcap stage persona, I have since read that he has been known to become aggressive with hecklers, scream in non sequiturs and crash down from the stage, sometimes breaking his own limbs. France’s partner in crime Jonathan Rado appears eclipsed by the sheer volume of his counterpart’s personality. An avid multi-instrumentalist, he mainly sticks to the electric guitar, delivering consistent licks with a more composed and pensive nature about him.

After a couple of high-energy blasts from the duo and their ensemble, things cool off with the beautiful and melancholic ‘Could Have Been My Love’, the melodies given real depth by the supporting trio on vocals before the shouting of ‘Can’t Contextualise My Mind’ brings mayhem back into the fore.  There is a depth to the noise, the keyboard and guitar sections maintaining fluidity and working together like strawberries and cream.

The crowd now jumping and leaping in the midst of ‘We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic’, one of the many hippie devotees is taking his enthusiasm a little too far, swinging around and pushing people, generally being a dick. Notably, this is one of the only negative points I can muster regarding the show and it was swiftly dealt with by an enraged bouncer.

Returning for an encore and closing on favourites such as ‘No Destruction’, Foxygen demonstrate their ability to put on a show on with similar lavishness of their 60s predecessors. The whole performance is fantastically tight and the band’s energy levels are consistent; anyone looking to glimpse a truly classic rock n’ roll experience, look no further.